The Acting Managing Director of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Ing. David Boadi Asamoah, has allayed public fears about a potential shutdown of three power plants due to financial constraints.
This follows a warning from the Chief Executive Officer of the Independent Power Producers (IPP), Dr. Elikplim Kwabla Apetorgbor, who recently disclosed that three power plants could halt operations next week if ECG fails to settle its $259 million debt. He revealed that the Sunon Asogli power plant has already ceased operations, with others functioning below capacity.
Speaking on NewsFile on JoyNews on Saturday, November 23, Ing. Asamoah dismissed these concerns, outlining steps being taken to ensure uninterrupted power supply. He highlighted ECG’s efforts to address the financial challenges and emphasized that the feared shutdown would be averted.
Responding to questions about why a load-shedding timetable has not been issued, Ing. Asamoah explained that the power shortages are too inconsistent to permit structured scheduling. Instead, ECG monitors power demands during peak periods and strategically allocates electricity across the country.
Citing the Ashanti Region as an example, he noted that the region consumed about 130 megawatts on Friday, November 22. To ensure fair distribution, power is shared among various regions, although urban areas often experience more outages to maintain rural supply. He acknowledged that this arrangement could be perceived as inequitable but stressed the need for balanced distribution.
When asked about the likelihood of a shutdown, Ing. Asamoah confidently stated, “It will not happen.” He elaborated on a change he introduced, moving from a monthly to a weekly payment schedule for IPPs. This adjustment, he explained, has allowed ECG to better manage its cash flow and meet its payment obligations.
“I recognized that implementing a weekly schedule would make a more significant impact. By monitoring revenue closely and allocating funds appropriately, we’ve been able to ensure timely payments to our IPPs,” he said.
He further called for ongoing discussions to institutionalize the weekly payment system, which he credited for helping to stabilize operations.
In conclusion, Ing. Asamoah assured Ghanaians that ECG is actively working to prevent any disruption in power supply and is committed to maintaining stability in the energy sector.
SOURCE: http://dew360.net
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